Do the Puyallup: 125 Years of Extraordinary Stories

If you’ve ever followed your nose to the irresistible scent of sizzling churros or lined up for a refreshing specialty drink or tasted the fresh zing of ceviche at our signature events, chances are you’ve visited one of Tino Ocampo’s booths. In just a few short years, Tino has become a beloved partner of the Washington State Fair Event Center - and a guest favorite for his vibrant food and drink offerings.

But his journey didn’t start here.

Tino was raised in a world of hustle and heart. His mother used to sell food from a pushcart, with Tino and his little sisters tucked inside. His father sold raspados (shaved ice treats) from a truck in the early '80s. Tino once swore he’d never sell food—yet here he is, proudly continuing his family’s entrepreneurial legacy.

What started with one booth has flourished into a thriving business. Today, Tino’s operations span churros, seafood and wildly popular specialty drinks. He travels up and down the West Coast, managing teams at multiple fairs with his sister and, soon, his college graduate daughter by his side.

Tino’s story is a testament to the power of roots, resilience and reinvention. We’re proud to feature him as part of the Fair family, and we can’t wait to see what’s next on the menu.

The Pacific Northwest’s biggest hot roddin’ show roars back to the Washington State Fair Event Center July 25–27 for its 37th year.

Every summer, we play host to one of our largest and most iconic rental events: the Goodguys Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals. This long-running partnership spans 37 years and brings thousands of car enthusiasts together for a celebration of classic American car culture.

Presented by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association - known for legendary shows nationwide - the event showcases more than 2,500 of the country’s finest 1999-and-older hot rods, trucks, customs, muscle cars and classics. The entire venue comes alive with a massive swap meet, Cars 4 Sale Corral, vendor midway, Pinstriper’s Brush Bash, twilight cruising, live music and top awards including the Builder’s Choice.

Part of a 15-event national circuit, Goodguys shows draw between 3,500 to 6,500 classic cars and up to 100,000 spectators per event. But here in Puyallup, it’s something truly special. Where else can you cruise with the Classic Coaster, Sky Ride and the backdrop of the Fair?

We’re proud to continue this iconic tradition with Goodguys, welcoming back hot rod fans for another unforgettable summer weekend.

In 2025, we proudly celebrate 125 years of bringing people together - and at the core of it all is our deep appreciation for community. As a private nonprofit, the Washington State Fair Event Center reinvests every dollar of net earnings into our venue and programs that uplift and enrich the region.

Our recently released 2024 Community Impact Report was guided by four pillars of impact, delivering meaningful engagement and long-term value to those we serve.

• Agriculture Education: More than 1,000 animals were showcased and 8,000+ students were visited by the Traveling Farm Educational Exhibit
• Cultural Celebration: 90+ community groups and 150+ local vendors participated across our signature events
• Community Advocacy: 47,000 lbs. of food and 28,000 lbs. of school supplies were donated through collection drives at our Spring and State Fairs
• Access to Joy: More than $9.2 million in free admission tickets were distributed to students, educators and local community organizations

"We recognize the responsibility we have as a historic organization to constantly assess how we can be doing more to serve our communities," said Renee McClain, CEO of the Washington State Fair Event Center.

The 2024 Community Impact Report reflects that commitment - past, present and future. We invite you to explore the full report and join us in celebrating another year of community-driven impact.